A surprising number of individuals struggle with vitamin D deficiency.
Recent research highlighted in a nutrition study indicates that about 41.6% of adults in the U.S. are lacking adequate levels of vitamin D. The situation is even more critical for specific demographics, with 82.1% of Black individuals and 69.2% of Hispanics affected.
This vitamin is crucial for proper bodily function; insufficient amounts can lead to issues like fatigue, mood disturbances—think depression and anxiety—and a compromised immune system. Plus, it raises long-term concerns around bone health, muscle function, and chronic illnesses.
What can we do about it? Some suggest increasing our sun exposure without SPF, though this raises skin cancer risks. Many healthcare professionals advocate for supplements. While food sources can help, they often fall short in providing adequate amounts.
A new startup is promoting the “personalized health advantages of sunlight.” It claims to have developed an FDA-cleared device that delivers only UVB wavelengths directly to the skin, avoiding the UVA rays that dominate natural sunlight.
Understanding the Importance of Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays a significant role in helping our bodies absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are vital for strong bones and teeth, according to Dr. Bryna Conner, a family medicine physician. She emphasizes that getting enough vitamin D becomes even more crucial as we age, aiding in the prevention of conditions like osteopenia, osteoporosis, and overall weakness. It also supports immune function, muscle and nerve activities, and can reduce inflammation.
Most adults should aim for 600 to 800 IU each day; however, figuring out how much sunlight you need can be tricky.
“It varies based on your skin tone, how much skin is exposed, the time of day, the season, and your geographical location,” says Dr. Geeta Yadav, a dermatologist.
Introducing an Innovative Light Therapy Solution
These varying needs are part of what the Sorius Institute aims to address. They’ve created Solius Pro, a light therapy panel designed for weekly use, typically lasting around five minutes.
The device evaluates the user’s skin tone for each session, delivering the necessary UVB to encourage vitamin D production.
“This offers a method to enjoy the biological benefits of sunlight while minimizing unnecessary UV exposure,” explains CEO Chris Kiple.
While there are two main types of ultraviolet rays—UVA and UVB—UVA contributes to skin aging and wrinkles, whereas UVB is responsible for sunburn. Importantly, only UVB is linked to vitamin D production. By focusing solely on UVB, Solius claims to offer “controlled, consistent, and personalized” exposure, enhancing vitamin D synthesis while reducing risks.
Kiple argues that using this device is superior to supplements since sunlight acts directly on the skin, unlike pills that must be digested.
The device, along with a lifetime membership, is currently priced at $2,995, with subsequent membership fees at $10 per month or $100 annually.
Assessing Safety
The Solius device includes various safety measures. It requires users to wear protective glasses and continually tracks location and distance. Users must also provide feedback on their skin’s response after each session, allowing for automatic adjustments to future doses.
Plus, the device prevents overuse; once a session concludes, it locks out access for a period.
“All of these precautions have been validated by multiple third-party evaluations. Clinical research confirmed that this personalized UVB therapy can be done safely without causing skin irritation or any adverse effects,” Kiple adds.
This thorough testing led the FDA to approve an entirely new product code for Solius. The device is cleared for over-the-counter sale for individuals aged 22 and older.
Is This Technology Necessary?
Although UVB technology isn’t entirely new, its promotion as a vitamin D booster available over the counter is unique.
Users reportedly experience an average 76% increase in vitamin D levels, but that’s just part of the picture. Solius claims benefits for metabolism, immune response, heart health, and mood enhancements as well.
However, dermatologists express some skepticism.
“We’ve been using narrowband UVB therapy for conditions like psoriasis and eczema for years, so the tech is understood,” says Dr. Yadav. “But I wonder whether it’s the right solution for vitamin D. For most healthy individuals, it’s not my first recommendation.”
She points out that UVB rays can directly damage skin cell DNA. When used for treating skin conditions, this therapy is closely monitored, unlike being casually used for vitamin D supplementation. The device seems to leverage medical credentials for a fundamentally different purpose.
Another dermatologist echoes this sentiment, questioning the necessity for a dedicated UVB panel for healthy individuals. “Increasingly, we see normal aspects of wellness being converted into medical devices. We have to remember that UV light is still UV light, and there’s no completely safe level of UV exposure.”
Dr. Yadav suggests conventional vitamin D supplements as a safer alternative, which avoid UV exposure altogether. Solius argues that supplements can pose absorption issues as they need processing through the liver and kidneys.
Meanwhile, Dr. Conner advises sourcing vitamin D from whole foods, recommending fatty fish like salmon and trout, egg yolks, and beef liver as excellent options. If you’re considering supplements, discuss it with a healthcare provider; they may suggest blood tests to check your vitamin D levels.
